NEWTON, NC (WBTV)- Catawba County's first confirmed case of rabies in 2013 has been recorded after a raccoon killed by two dogs in the Conover area tested positive for the disease, according to a release from Catawba County.
 
On April 17, 2013, Catawba County Animal Services was notified that the dogs killed the raccoon. The North Carolina Public Health Laboratory notified Catawba County on April 22, 2013, that the raccoon tested positive for rabies.
 
Neither of the dogs was current on the rabies vaccination and the owner of the dogs has decided to surrender them to Animal Services for euthanasia. 
 
Animal Services reminds pet owners that rabies is still present in the local wild animal population and is a threat to pets and humans, year-round.  The best way to protect your pets from rabies is to have them properly vaccinated for rabies. 
 

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- If you happened to be out very early this morning, were far away from city lights, and were able to pick out the brightest streaks in the sky, then you may have seen the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower.

This shower occurs every year in mid to late April when the Earth passes through a trail of debris from the Comet Thatcher.

This year's biggest obstacle to viewing today was the moon, nearly full this morning, which reflected enough sunlight to block out all but the brightest meteors.

Some meteors will be visible until April 25th. Rarely, outbursts of up to 100 meteors per hour can be seen, although more commonly this meteor shower will produce only 15-20 meteors per hour.

If you do happen to snap a shot, we'd love to see your pictures!  Submit them here.

The next meteor shower, the Eta Aquarids, will occur on the nights of May 4-5.

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- US Marshals have arrested a Catawba County man they say has allegedly committed sex crimes against a child.

Nicky Lee Anderson, 41, had multiple outstanding warrants in Catawba County, as a result of alleged sex offenses involving a minor child, according to a news release from the US Marshals Service.

Following the incident, Anderson fled the area to avoid being caught by authorities. 

On March 26, warrants were obtained on Anderson in Catawba County for Sexual Offense with a Child, as well as Rape of a Child.

An investigation led by the U.S. Marshals Violent Offenders Task Force from the Western District of North Carolina, revealed that Anderson was in the Tallahassee, Florida area when he was apprehended.

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